CLOSE FINISH ! Biathlon World Cup 2 (2015-2016) - Men's Team Race (4x7,5km Relay)

BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup 2 (2015-2016) - Men's Team Race (4x7,5km Relay) 13.12.2015, Hochfilzen Shipulin Heroics Give Russia Relay Victory Strong on the Tracks Anton Shipulin with a furiously fast, but measured final loop overcame Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen in the final loop to give Russia the win in the men's relay in 1:14:40.2 with sic spare rounds. Shipulin and teammates, Alexey Volkov, Evgeny Garanichev and Dmitry Malyshko finished 3.1 seconds ahead of second place Norway, with seven spares.. Third went to France, with six spares, 1:01.9 back. It was another spectacular afternoon in Austria, with more sunshine and no wind for the men. As usual, the first leg was a shake-out for the top teams, with Latvia the leader at the first exchange. Still, the big teams like Russia, France and Norway not too far back. The big casualty on the first leg was Czech Republic as Michal Krcmar had two penalties dropping his team to the back of the pack, almost 1:30 back. Fast-shooting Johannes The second leg had fast-shooting Johannes for Norway against Olympic Gold medalist Evgeny Garanichev. Boe used two spare rounds but still put his team in the lead at the exchange. Garanichev went 10-for-10 and tagged a half second behind Johannes. Surprising Sweden was third, 18 seconds back followed by Italy and France. Tarjei and Dmitry Leg three and it was Tarjei's turn against Dmitry Malyshko; the two skied together for the first loop. Tarjei took control closing all five targets quickly while Malyshko was reloading spare rounds. Swedish star Fredrik Lindstrom also cleaned and moved ahead of Malyshko. Standing changed little except for a single spare round by the Norwegian and Malyshko changing spots with Lindstrom. Now lurking in the fourth spot was France with Martin Fourcade up next. Svendsen Takes Charge, but Shipulin Prevails Tarjei lengthened his lead to 30 seconds by the exchange over the Russian, with Sweden still clinging to the third spot; Fourcade left the stadium with 13 seconds to make up against his rival Shipulin and 43 to Svendsen. Svendsen cleaned prone with ease and Shipulin matched with a quick clean. Fourcade who was up with Shipulin and Nelin of Sweden needed a spare round but moved into the third spot as they group headed to the final standing stage of the day. Svendsen and Shipulin shot side-by-side with both using two spare rounds; the pressure was evident in both men. Svendsen got away with a 10 second advantage, but Shipulin was flying around the tracks. After a fall on the tracks, Fourcade cleaned and left comfortably in third place. Shipulin quickly closed the gap and waited for the last few hundred meters to unleash a winning sprint. Team Shipulin commented, "This was not just my victory; all of the guys on the team were really great today...After the last shooting stage, I knew Emil was close and I knew I had to catch him; my speed was better so I caught him." Volkov laughed about his return to the World Cup from the IBU Cup in Ridnaun. "This was all planned by the coaches that I would go there and then on to Pokljuka." Malyshko Back Malyshko who had an off year last season was maybe the most pleased. "I worked hard to get back to this level. Now everyone says I am back and that really makes me happy." Johannes on the Rise Johannes said, "I feel my shape and form is coming and hopefully after the New Year, I will be able to fight with Fourcade and Shipulin." Mistakes but Satisfied Simon Fourcade admitted with the end of week was better than the earlier part. "It was not perfect with some mistakes in shooting and satisfied that my level is back on the skis."